Envelope-filling machine



ENvELoPE FILLING MACHINE Filed Nov. 7, 193s sheets-sheet 1 575V @ttor/M116 June 4, 1935.' F. E. GUEDRY 2,004,048

ENVELOPE FILLING MACHINE Filed Nov. 7, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 June 4, 1935. F. E. GUI-:DRY

ENVELOPE FILLING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. '7, 1935 Patented June 4, 1935 France E. Guedry, deceased,4 late of Fort Worth,

Tex., byEdith .Alderman Guedry, administratrix, Fort'Wcrth, Tex., assigner to Edith Alderman Guedry, Fort Worth, Tex.`

, Application November `'1, 1933, serial No. `stanti `1o claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in envelope-.filling machines.

It isa primary `object of the invention to provide an envelopemung machine which' will place g circulars or letters 4in envelopes at a rapid rate and Withsuch accuracy that one and only one of the circulars or letters will be placed in a, single envelope.

It is a further object of the invention to pro- Vide an envelope-filling machine which will handle envelopes and printed mattei-'of various sizes and Weights with little or no adjustment. It is an object of the invention to provide 4an envelope-filling machine which is simple in construction, positive in action, which employs but few moving parts, which isv not subject to rapid wear, which requires very little power for its operation and which canbe manufactured and sold at a low price.

Further objects, and objects relating to details and economies of construction and operation will more definitely appear from the detailed description to follow. In Vone instance, the objects of this invention are obtained by the meansdescribedin the Ufollowing specification. The invention isV clearly pointed out in the appended claims. A preferred embodiment of the-invention is illustratedin the accompanying drawings; in which:

Figure lis a viewa in side elevation, of a preferred form of envelope-filling machine embody` ing the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view, in top elevation, ofthe machine illustrated in Fig. 1;

magazine, letter magazine, carrier drum and drum-actuated feeding mechanism of the same machine, showing the positionv of the` several elements` at the inception ofthe transfer of a folded letter from the letter magazine to an envelope in the envelope magazine;

Fig.` 4 isa similar view of the letter magazine and carrier drumatan earlier moment, showing the wiper element of the drum about to engage the lowermost` letter in the vmagazine and cause the latters initial release therefrom so as to permit engagement of its rear edge by the spring finger or hook of the drum, which hook or iinger there-,

upon' effects its transfery from the letter magazine to the envelope;

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of the drum. and

letter magazine taken on the line..5-5 of Fig. 4; Fig.6 is a detailsectional viewc-f the drum, envelope magazineandone ofthe rlvelOiXV Open- 5 ing. devices. taken on the. linee-s of. ria-3;

FigtS is a detail sectional view of the envelope` Fig, 7 is a detail view, in perspective, of one ofthe envelope-opening devices as `associated. With the engaged portion of the envelope, the portion of the envelope being shown in broken lines; y

Fig. 8 `is a detail view, in perspective, of `the drum mounted hook which conveys the latter or printedcircular toward andinto the previously spread envelope;

Fig. 9 is a more or less diagrammatic view Yin side elevation, and on a reduced scale.l of 4envelope-flap-opening mechanism applicable to the machine disclosed in Fig. 1 and by the incorporation of which envelopes may be placed inthe Vmagazine without the requirement of first unfolding the flaps from the back thereof, the flapengaging member being shown in initial position;

Fig. l0 is a similar view of the same mechanism shown in Fig. V9, the parts being shown in final position `with the flap unfolded and lifted; and

Fig. 11 is` a View, in top devancer, of the meenanism-illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10;

The `same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the several views. Y

In a broad. aspect, the invention relates to en- I velope-lling machines and is embodied in an apparatus 'consisting'of a rotary drum, a magazine into which foldedl letters or ycirculars are charged, a magazine into which envelopes are charged and by'which the foremost envelope is held in a plane which is substantially tangent to thecylindricalsurface of the drum,'mechanism for spreading open the foremost envelope to permit the insertion of a circular or letter,` and traversing` means carried by the drum which pluck a single letter or card fromthe'magezine therefor and carry said. letter or card into inserted relation with the spread and tangentially disposed envelope. l 1

More particularly, and `with reference to the accompanying drawings, in 'which there is disclosed whatis regarded to constitute a preferred embodiment of' the invention, there is provided. a base I0 upon Which are supported a pair of brackets Il, I2, which ,constitute the. frame of the machine and have bearings `in Ywhich the shaft I3 of the cylindrical drum I II is journaled' for rotation.` A y wheel I5 `having a` crank handle I6 is keyed tothe shaft I3 and these constitute the means by which smooth and easy` rotation of the Vdrum Mmay be effected manually. Bridging the rear portion of the brackets II, I2 is an upstanding channel member Il which constitutes-the magazine for a supply of folded letters or cards and this member Il is provided, adjacent its lower edge, with inturned flanges I8 which serve as supporting ledges for theV rear edge of the foremost folded letter or card in the magazine. The forward portion of the card rests upon the top edges of the brackets II, I2, in closely spaced relation with respect to the periphery of the drum I4, so as to be engageable by a radially projecting wiper element I9 of soft rubber, felt or similar friction material care,

ried by the drum. The envelope magazine consists of a second upstanding channel member ,23 bridging the forward and downwardly inclined portion of the brackets II, I2. inwardly extending plates 2| are secured to the brackets II, I2, at their top edges and incline downwardly and extend forwardly beyond the channel member 2D. The front wall of the channel member 2i! is cut away at 20a. to provide a discharge orifice through which the envelope passes after being filled, being slid along the plates 2| beneath and past the rubber covered bail 22 which is j ournaled upon the channel member 2) and is urged by springsl 23 to yieldingly retain the foremost envelope in the magazine until the letter or card has been completely inserted. A chute for guiding filled envelopes during discharge from the magazine is constituted by an angular strip 24 secured to each bracket II, I2, and a downwardly inclined guide member 2liY of wire stock secured at its upper ends to the magazine 26 directs the filled envelopes into the receptacle constituted by a portion of the base ID and upstanding plates 26, 21, secured thereto.

The mechanism by which the folded letters or cards in the magazine VI are transferred, one by one, into envelopes placed in the magazine 20 consists of parts carried by or actuated by the drum I4, and guiding and restraining means mounted on the brackets II, I2. More particularly, and with reference to Fig. 3 of the drawings,

the drum I 4 is provided with a hooked plate 28 of resilient metal which plate is normally spaced, at its rear or hooked end, from the drum surface, so as to'engage the foremost letter in the magazine I 'i when caused to drop past the ledges I8 by the forward wiping action of the preceding friction element I9. A rubber covered letter detent or bail 29 prevents the Vwiper element I9 from carrying the foremost letter or card materially beyond a position in which its rear edge clears the ledges I8 and also serves to hold the card or letter snugly upon the drum surface as it is being carried forward by the hooked plate 26. The letter or `card is also held down upon the drum by the wire member 3l) which extends upwardly from the brackets II, I2, downwardly into proximity with the drum surface and forwardly to provide a tongue, shown in Fig. 2, which holds the flap 3Ia of the foremost envelope 3i inappropriately elevated position. Upon the top edge of each of the brackets I I, I2,is pivotally mounted a combined envelope-spreader and letter guide 32. This element is clearly` shown in Figs. 2, 3, 6 and 7 and has the form of a' channel slightly belled at ber 32 contacts, appropriately swinging the member 32 upon its pivot 35 into and out of envelopeengaging and spreading position in timed relation with the feeding of letters or circulars.

From the foregoing description of the machine, its mode of operation may be readily understood. A stack of envelopes 3 I, flaps unfolded, are placed in the magazine 2D and a stack of folded letters or cards 38 are placed in the magazine Il. The foremost'envelope rests with its flap 3io supported upon the tongue of the member 3G and the foremost letter rests with its rear edge supported by the ledges i8. Upon rotation of the drum the friction member i9 thereof, which projects slightly beyond the drum periphery, wipes upon the under surface of the foremost letter 38 and causes it to be moved forward until its front edge contacts the member 23 and its rear edge clears and falls from the ledges I8. Thereupon, the hooked member 28 comes into engagement with the rear edge'of the letter 33 as shown in Fig. 3, and the latter is forced beneath the member 2i? and is carried toward the waiting envelope which,`in turn, has been entered by the envelopespreader and letter guides 32, due to the action of cams 36 upon the rollers 3'! of the members 32. The moving letter then enters the guides 32 and is carried into inserted relation with the envelope 3| and, being continued in its travel by the hooked member '23, causes the filled envelope to be carried from the magazine, through the opening 20a and chute-constituting members 24 into the receptacle formed by the base Ill and walls 26, 2'?. In the case of a twin macl'line,` such as illustrated, in which 'there are two sets of members !9 and 23, two envelopes are filled during each revolution of the drum. The'operation first recited is cyclically repeated, the envelopes and letters settling in their respective magazines and the'other parts returning to original position by spring action and by rotation of the drum.

InFigs. 9, l0 Vand 1l, there isV shown a mechanism constituting an ancillary or supplemental apparatus adapted for incorporation in the machine disclosed in Figs. l to 8 and, by the use of which, the requirement of unfolding the flaps of the envelopes previous to placement in the magazine 2G may be eliminated. This mechanism *consists of a finger or hook 49 which underlies the stack of envelopes 3I` and 1s` supported upon guides 4I whichare inclined at their rear eXtremities to constitute lifting cams 4 la. The rear ends of the hook 49, which is preferably formed of wire stock, are journaled inv and supported byupstanding rocker arms 42 pivotally mounted upon the base IG, and a pin 43 is provided at an intermediate point in each leg of the hook 4G and rests upon a respective guide 4l. For the purposel of imparting a reciprocatory motion to the hook 40 such as to cause the pins 43 to periodically ride upon the cam surfaces V4m and periodically actuate the hook to unfold the flap 3io of the foremost envelope, double eccentrics or cams 44 are placed on the drum I4 which cams engage pins 45 disposed intermediate each rocker arm 42. A light leaf spring 46 bears against each rocker arm 42 and maintains the rocker arm i contact withthe cam 44.`

The mode of operation of the flap unfolding mechanism when applied to the machine should be obvious to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. The cams 44 cause the member 42 to rock backward and forward, imparting a reciprocatory motion-to the flap-engaging hook 4U which results in a liftingof the' .and thereby `unfolds the flap just prior to the lentry of, the envelope-,spreading membersBZ.

`It is apparent that the invention is susceptible of embodiment in numerous forms which will appeantothose skilled in the art. For example, in lieu of vutilizing the peripheral surface of the drum as. the `conveyor for letters or cards, one vlmay employ a l,belt carried upon several drums vor rollers.` Likewise, continuous unidirectional `rotation is :not an essential of the invention, but, by,` appropriate retraction of the hook members `28 after one cycle of feeding, the drum might be .revolvedclockwise and anticlockwise to obtain the same operation of the elements. Moreover, itis obvious' thatvany mechanical or electrical drive might be substituted for manual power; Similarly, `it is not an essential requirement. of the invention thatthe magazine be disposedvertically or above'the drum, .but with appropriate feeding, the letters or envelopes may be disposed at any location with respect to the drum. Certain elements of the invention are capable of incorporation in other types of machines to similar ,advantage The invention is, therefore, claimed broadly, as indicated by the appended claims.

What is claimed-is: Y

1. An envelope-filling machine comprising a drum adapted to rotateA about its axis, means for imparting a rotary motion to said drum, a magazine for pieces of printed matter to be inserted in envelopes, a magazine for envelopes, said magazine for envelopes having its muzzle so arranged with respect to said drum as to dispose the foremost envelope in a plane substantially tangent' to the peripheral surface of said drum and open toward said drum surface with one edge of said envelope engaging against said surface, and means upon the periphery of said drum for cyclically engaging a piece of printed matter, carrying said piece of printed matter tangentially with respect to said drum surface and inserting said piece of printed matter in said envelope.

2. An envelope-filling machine comprising a drum adapted to rotate about its axis, means for imparting a rotary motion to said drum, a magazine for pieces of printed matter t be inserted in envelopes, a magazine for envelopes, said magazine for envelopes having its muzzle so arranged with respect to said drum as to dispose the foremost envelope in a planesubstantially tangent to the peripheral surface of said drum and open toward said drum surface with one edge of said envelope engaging against said surface, and means upon the periphery of said drum for cyclically engaging a piece of printed matter, carrying said piece of printed matter tangentially with Arespect to said drum surface, inserting said piece of printed matter in said envelope, and conveying said envelope and its inserted matter clear of the muzzle of said envelope magazine.`

3. An envelope-filling machine comprising a drum adapted to rotate about its axis, means for imparting a rotary motion to said drum, a magazine for pieces of printed matter to be inserted in envelopes, a magazine for envelopes, said magazine for envelopes having its muzzle so arranged with respect to said drum as to dispose the foremost envelope with its top or flap edge disposed adjacent said drum and with its open edge disposed toward the magazine for the printed matter, means for spreading open `said envelope to receive printed matter, means rotatable in unison With said drum for actuating said spreading Ymeansand means. upon the periphery of said drum for cyclically engaging a piece of printed L;

matter, carrying said piece of printed matter from its magazine and inserting said piece of printed kmatter into said open-mouthed envelope.

e. An envelope-filling machine comprising a drum adapted to rotate about its axis, means for imparting a rotary motion to said drum, a magazine for pieces of `printed matter to beinserted in envelopes, a magazine for envelopes, said magazine for envelopes having its muzzle so arranged with respectto said drum as to dispose the foremost envelopevivith its top or iiap edge disposed adjacent drum .and with its open edge disposed toward the magazine for the printed matter, nger means engaging said foremost envelope and actuated by a camv element rotatively associated with said drum for spreading open said envelope to receive printed matter, and means upon theV periphery of said drum for cyclically engaging a piece of printed matter, carrying said piece of printed matter from its magazine, inserting said piece of printed matter into said open-mouthed envelope and conveying 'said envelope and its inserted matter clear of the muzzle of said .envelope magazine. l i

`5. An envelope-filling machine vcomprising a drum adapted to rotate about its axis, means for imparting a rotary motion to said drum, a magazine for pieces of printed matter to'be inserted in envelopes, a magazine for envelopes, said magazine for envelopes having its muzzle so arranged with respect to said drum as to dispose the foremost envelope in a plane substantially tangent to the peripheral surface of said drum with its top or flap edge disposed adjacent said drum, laterally movable envelope-spreading finger elements at each side of said foremost envelope engageable Within the mouth thereof, cams carried by said drum for actuating said nger elements, and means upon the periphery of said drum for cyclically engaging a piece of printed matter, carrying said piece of printed matter tangentially with respect to saiddrum surface, inserting said printed matter into said open-mouthedenvelope and conveying said envelope and its inserted matterk clear of the muzzle of said envelope magazine.

6. An envelope-lling machine comprising a drum adapted to rotate about its axis, means for Y imparting a rotary motion to said drum, a magazine for pieces of printed matter to be inserted in envelopes, a magazine for envelopes, said magazine for envelopes having its muzzle so arranged with respect to said drum as to dispose the foremost envelope in a plane substantially tangent to the peripheral surface of said drum with its top or nap edge disposed adjacent said drum, latorally movable envelope-spreading fingers of channel cross section pivotally disposed at each side of said foremost envelope and engageable Within the mouth thereof, cams carried by the ends of said drum adjacent its periphery for actuating said fingers, and means upon the periphery of said drum for cyclically engaging aV imparting a rotary motion to said drum, a magazine for pieces of printed matter to be inserted in envelopes, a magazine for envelopes having its muzzle so arranged With respect to said drum as to dispose the foremost envelope contained therein in a plane substantially tangent to the peripheral surface of said drum, means operable by the drum for opening said foremost envelope, and a hook carried upon the peripheral surface of said drum, engageable With the foremost piece of printed matter in said first-mentioned magazine andV caused, by rotation of said drum,'to 'transfer said piece of printed matter from its magazine to said foremost envelope when opened.

8. An envelope-filling machine comprising a drum adapted to rotate about its axis, means for imparting a rotary motion to said drum, a magazine for pieces of printed matter to be inserted in envelopes, said magazine being disposed with its muzzle facing the peripheral surface of said drum, a ledge Within said muzzle for retaining said printed matter in said magazine, a wiping element upon the periphery of said drum eifective to displace the foremost piece of printed matter from support by said ledge and cause said piece of printed matter to rest adjacent said drum, a magazine for envelopes having its muzzle so arranged With respect to said drum as to dispose the foremost envelope contained therein in a plane substantially tangent to the peripheral surface of said drum, means for holding said envelope open for reception of printed matter, and a hook carried by said drum to the rear of said wiping element, engageable with the rear edge of said displaced printed matter and caused by rotation of said drum, to drive said piece of printed matter into said opened envelope. v

9. An envelope filling machine comprising an Y endless traveling surface, av magazine for envelopes, a magazine for pieces of printed matter, Vthe discharge of said envelope magazine being so arranged that envelopes discharged therefrom will be positioned With their open edge partially supported on said surface and disposed toward the other magazine, and means carried onV said endless traveling surface for removing pieces of printed matter from their magazine and inserting them in saidenvelopessaid last mentioned means supporting the pieces of printed matter while in transit from their magazine until inserted in an envelope.

10. An envelope lling machine comprising an endless traveling surface a portion of which traverses an arcuate path, an envelope magazine, a second magazine for pieces of printed matter, means for opening the envelopes as discharged from their magazine, and means mounted on said surface and movable with said surface for removing pieces of printed matter from their magazine and inserting them in the envelopes, said lastmentioned means supporting the pieces of printed matter in a plane tangent to the arcuate path of said surface. i EDITH ALDERMAN GrUEDRY, Adminstmtrix of the Estate of France E. Guedry,

Deceased. 

